Information Package / Course Catalogue
Teaching of Socioscientific Issues in Science Education
Course Code: EFS173
Course Type: Non Departmental Elective
Couse Group: First Cycle (Bachelor's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 2
Prt.: 0
Credit: 2
Lab: 0
ECTS: 3
Objectives of the Course

The direct relationship between science and society has progressed in interaction since mankind's existence. Society is making progress in science in line with its needs, and future progress also affects community life directly or indirectly. This interaction in science and technology can not always be said to have a positive effect on society life. It is thought that it has positive and negative effects on the society life; Complex, open-ended, and uncontroversial controversial issues are known as socioscientific issues (SSI). These topics include the facts of everyday life, and in general, there are topics that are not definitive solutions. The aim of this course is to provide the students with information about the SSI, to enable them to think about these issues, and to enable them to analyze personal, local, global issues within the framework of ethical and moral values

Course Content

This course consists of discussing social problems arising from science and technological developments in daily life, providing basic information about these subjects, teaching argument development skills based on evidence about socio-scientific issues, and informing about the use and importance of moral values when deciding on SBS. The course focuses on science technology literacy, sociological aspects, the characteristics and dimensions of SSI, the nature of SSI, the nature of scientific literacy and science, SSI and curriculum, how SSI is implemented, SSI and its argumentation.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Prof. Dilek KARIŞAN KORUCU
Learning Outcomes
1.Recognizing the position and importance of SSI in science education
2.To know the general characteristics of SSI
3.Knowing SSI applications
4.Understanding SSI and its argumentation relationship
5.Understanding the nature of SSI and science
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Sosyobilimsel konular ve öğretimi, Yazar: Mustafa Sami Topçu, Pegem Yayınevi
2.Sadler, T. D. (2009). Situated learning in science education: Socioscientific issues as contexts for practice. Studies in Science Education, 45(1), 1-42.
3.Sadler, T. D., & Zeidler, D. L. (2005). Patterns of informal reasoning in the context of socioscientific decision making. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 42(1), 112-138.
4.Zeidler, D. L. (2014). Socioscientific Issues as a Curriculum Emphasis: Th eory, Research and Practice. In S. K. Abell & N. G. Lederman (Eds.), Handbook of Research on Science Education (pp. 697-725). Mahwa, NY: Routledge, Taylor and Francis.
5.Zeidler, D. L., Walker, K. A., Ackett, W. A., & Simmons, M. L. (2002). Tangled up in views: Beliefs in the nature of science and responses to socioscientific dilemmas. Science Education, 86(3), 343-367.
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
Science and Technology literacy
Week 2 - Theoretical
Introduction to Sociscientific Issues (SSI)
Week 3 - Theoretical
The characteristics and dimensions of the SSI
Week 4 - Theoretical
Development and history of SSI
Week 5 - Theoretical
The Importance of SSI in science education
Week 6 - Theoretical
Teaching framework for SSI teaching
Week 7 - Theoretical
Sample lesson plans for SSI teaching
Week 8 - Theoretical
SSI and moral perspective (Midterm)
Week 9 - Theoretical
SSI and social Media
Week 10 - Theoretical
SSI and argumentation
Week 11 - Theoretical
SSI and its applications
Week 12 - Theoretical
An overview of SSI
Week 13 - Theoretical
Examples of SSI
Week 14 - Theoretical
Examples of SSI
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Midterm Examination1%40
Final Examination1%60
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory141242
Assignment3013
Individual Work120112
Midterm Examination1617
Final Examination110111
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)75
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
PÇ-8
PÇ-9
PÇ-10
PÇ-11
PÇ-12
PÇ-13
OÇ-1
4
4
OÇ-2
4
4
5
5
OÇ-3
4
4
4
OÇ-4
5
5
5
OÇ-5
4
4
4
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026